Crime Scene Unit

The Rochester Police Department Crime Scene Unit is responsible for processing a crime scene in the field to preserve it for the future. The unit is made up of Patrol Officers and Detectives who have been assigned to the unit in addition to their normal duties. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to, photographing, collecting and documenting all relevant evidence. Members of the unit respond to a wide variety of violent crimes and property crimes, to include shootings, stabbings, robberies, sexual assaults, burglaries and other major crimes. They must evaluate the minute details of a crime scene and determine what types of processing are appropriate. Processing a scene can include the use of digital photography, the recovery of latent fingerprints, the collection of DNA or serological evidence and the collection of foot, tool, tire impressions and trace evidence such as hairs and fibers. This evidence is then used towards the identification and subsequent prosecution of a perpetrator.

To help accomplish its mission, members of the unit have received specialized training in processing various crime scenes and evidence. The unit also utilizes a crime scene evidence collection vehicle (pictured above), which was purchased brand new in 2009. This is a self-sufficient vehicle that provides a platform for conducting crime scene investigations. The vehicle is fully equipped with the latest crime scene analysis technology necessary to properly process major crime scenes. This vehicle is maintained in a state of constant readiness to facilitate a quick and capable response when needed.